Nijushiho

Nijushiho, or "24 Steps," is named after the number of foot movements, or "steps," present in the kata. It is an excellent kata for developing timing and rhythm. The sanchin-dachi (hour-glass stance, not very popular in Shotokan), the traditional haito (palm down), and the makiotoshi/teishi-awase-zuki combination (one of the "coolest" moves in kata) are all exclusive to Nijushiho and Unsu.

The hiji-ate at the beginning of the kata, the several awase-zuki, and the haishu techniques are all solely found in Nijushiho, bringing to light a variety of new applications involving arm-locks, chokes, etc.

The embusen is fairly compact, not allowing for too many steps in any one direction, and changes in direction are made with very little motion, giving this kata a fairly small frame.

The kata abounds with double-hand attacks and elbow strikes which are often used for close range fighting. All of this lends to the idea that the karateka must defend within a small space, quickly changing opponents.

The only long-range techniques found in Nijushiho are the two yoko-kekomi. However, these kicks are considered a recent innovation, previously being only knee lifts, and were most likely not present in the kata's original form.